Monday, August 17, 2020

Supper's Ready!

        May I present, “Community Supper”

       Quarantined quilters taking a bite out of Coronavirus – one block a at a time. 


Back

 

To recap: On May 16, I posted a request for an “orphan” block and label with each person’s sentiment about this pandemic. Ten days later I had over 40 blocks and they kept coming. Never in my wildest dreams did I envision making this quilt with 80 other quilters. The last block came in on July 23rd, all the way from Japan. I would like to thank everyone who participated. This is your quilt!

The quilt is constructed in the potholder method whereby each block is individually quilted and bound and then stitched together. You can read more about this method of construction in my January 2019 post (here). I used printed patchwork or “cheater” prints on the back of each block and attached the labels, making this a true “two sided” quilt.

 I struggled a bit with the layout of the blocks. They were so diverse, there was no right or wrong way to arrange them. So, I took the easy route and simply laid them out alphabetically. The 64 ten inch blocks are alphabetical (by maker) from left to right and the 16 five inch blocks are alphabetical from top to bottom.

I usually hand stitch my potholder blocks together but, I really wanted to finish this project by the end of summer, so I decided to use the machine. It was easy to keep the individual blocks together as I zig-zagged along, but when it came to assembling the rows… it was a bit like steering a fin keel sailboat through a rough current. It was hard not to over steer to compensate for the drag. I managed to make headway and keep things moving, but my stitching is far from perfect! I suppose this adds even more meaning to this unconventional “story” quilt.

I machine appliqued the header piece along the top and then took a fabric pen and drew images to remind us (as if we would ever forget) of the things that quickly became part of our daily lives. 


 This project has been my salvation during this pandemic. It allowed me to focus on something meaningful while the outside world was spinning wildly out of control.

I have truly enjoyed my connection with all of the 80 quilters from 31 states and 4 countries.

I have stayed away from all social media except for my blog during these past months but I hope to upload this post to the Quilt Index Facebook page, “Come Tell Us: Quilters Share Stories from Covid 19”.

Let’s hope this pandemic will end soon and we will use what we have learned to help heal damaged bodies and broken hearts.

 Thanks for sticking with me on this journey. May all your quilts be happy ones.

 

36 comments:

  1. What a treasure! There is so much of "you" in this quilt even though it was made by everyone. It just turned out so wonderful. Thanks for letting me participate in this piece of history.

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  2. This quilt epitomizes the positive spirit of quilters everywhere! What a beautiful tribute to all who participated and especially to you for both the idea and your optimism and perseverance while creating this masterpiece!

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  3. Wendy, this is marvelous! I am honored to be included. This quilt will be an heirloom like no other and I hope to see it in person some time. Such a beautiful idea and a great result!!!!!

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  4. I'm speechless. What a beautiful quilt! Thank you for letting me be a part of it.

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  5. awesome finish there....what a wonderful memory quilt you have, a real time capsule in fabric...hope this will be at next year's exhibit at the museum...

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  6. Wow. That turned out so cool! I love the hand drawn images, which will remind us of all we went through during this crazy time, and educate those in the future who did not live through it. Good job, Wendy! Many kudos for the idea, the organizing, and sewing together this classic quilt. I’m honored to have had a part in its making.

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  7. This is truly fabulous! Thank you for all your time and energy putting this quilt together. I can't believe how fast you assembled all those blocks. I LOVED being part of this community supper! Let's celebrate!

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  8. Amazing! It took me a while to find my block—I forgot what it looked like lol! I love the added touches you did with your drawings—so clever!

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  9. AWESOME quilt finish!! Thanks for letting me share in the process. Let EAT!!! :o))

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  10. The quilt is awesome and a wonderful way to keep occupied with something beautiful during this crazy time.

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  11. Wendy this is absolutely fantastic! Such a variety... and your artful layout and borders... the back... all of it! I hope I can see it someday in person. I appreciate you stalling dinner's end, for my block to arrive;).

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  12. Wow! Look at that quilt! You really kept your head down and focused!!
    It certainly has a story to tell. I’m thrilled for you!!

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  13. Oh Wendy.... you've done a fabulous job !!
    Congratulations on this finish !!

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  14. Wendy this is best pot-luck supper ever. Each "dish" is sew yummy. What a wonderful quilt from your talented hands and mind. Thank you for including my little block.

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  15. I feel blessed to have taken part in the making of this quilt. I've been thinking I would like to make a quilt of my own to commemorate this unusual time and even if I don't make one, there will be this quilt that I can turn to and enjoy. This "Community Supper" is an important quilt. Thank you for letting me be part of your vision, Wendy.

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  16. This is a remarkable accomplishment! What a great job you did at unifying these blocks. It is beautiful!

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  17. What a truly amazing quilt and story. I am so happy to be a part of your quilt and be connected to you and this historical treasure.

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  18. Wendy - you have created a fabulous quilt - this will be one for the history books! What fun to see all the blocks together and to know how all of us who participated are connected. I have no doubt that a book will be coming out eventually featuring quilts that were made during this pandemic - yours will absolutely go in there. Well done!!!

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  19. Fantastic quilt - it came together perfectly and tells an important story; of friendship, the times and fabric!

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  20. What a fascinating project and interesting quilt. I love that it tells a story of friendship though a hard time. You’ve done a beautiful job of putting it together. Your drawings are perfect - exactly the images of this pandemic. A creative and artistic way to speak about a difficult time.

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  21. Simply the BEST THEMED quilt I've seen! It is just awesome. I'm so proud to have a little spot in this amazing community quilt.
    congratulations! You are truly an amazing quilter and person.
    I hope you are pleased as Punch!
    I can't wait to see this at VQF and other major exhibits!

    Hooray for the Master Chef - Wendy!!

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  22. Wendy, this quilt is something for the museums! Just to start with the idea, getting all those people to send you blocks, and all your work in assembling each block differently (my my--you sure have an amazing collection of cheater cloths!!! veg) and then putting the blocks together in such an appealing way! YUMMY!
    I love the metaphor to boating... that's the real YOU!!
    And the hand drawn pictures?? My favorite?? The toilet paper!! Gosh. Will we ever forget?
    I hope you are proud of yourself!
    I too can't wait to see this in person (and together!!! ).
    Thank you for all your time, energy and effort! I too am proud to call you my friend (literally--calling!! veg)...and maybe ZOOM, too, some day!! ;-))

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  23. Wendy, this blows me away!! What an amazing commemorative quilt, by an amazing quilter. I am honored to have contributed one small block to be part of the whole.
    I hope I get to see this in person someday!!

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  24. Wendy, this looks amazing. I'm so happy you have finished this and to have been part of it. It looks wonderful with the smaller blocks going down the centre.

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  25. Wonderful finish, Wendy! Thank you for sharing the process as you went along and so many pictures of the final quilt!

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  26. Being included in your Family Supper Quilt is quite an honor. Your finish is so creative and humorous. I hope to be able to see Family Supper in person someday. Thank you for organizing and completing this timely project.

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  27. Blessings to you for making this wonderful quilt where so many could share their love of quilting.

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  28. It’s absolutely fabulous! And I’m so excited to be at the “table” with all the other quilters. It’s an honor to be included. It certainly has a great story and served its purpose of keeping you engaged in something positive during this horrific time. Yes, let’s hope this pandemic is over soon so we can all get back to enjoying life again.

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  29. I love it! What an incredible quilt. So much sentiment and emotion involved. I had to smile that your stitching wasn't perfect. You did ask for orphan blocks! lol

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  30. Wendy... it's just so marvellous! I love all the special touches you added to make this such a unique keepsake quilt! Amazing ... and finished so quickly!

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  31. What a precious memory...... The good from a difficult time......

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  32. Oh wow, this is incredible! I am so impressed that you were able to get together a random bunch of blocks and make them cohesive. The sweet embroidery at the top really tells the story.

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  33. Somehow, I missed this post. I had been wondering how Community Supper was coming and I see you have finished. This was a unique quilt project and the stories to go with the blocks oh so interesting. You did good!

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